The moment had finally arrived for a true coronation.
At the 2026 Olympics, 29-year-old Johannes Klaebo showcased unparalleled dominance, entering and conquering all six men’s cross-country skiing events. His journey was a testament to sheer athletic will.
His incredible run began with the grueling skiathlon, a 12-mile race demanding mastery of two distinct skiing techniques. He then sprinted to victory in a furious three-and-a-half-minute dash across four rounds, followed by a masterful performance in the individual time trial. Completing this extraordinary feat, Klaebo teamed up with his formidable Norwegian compatriots to secure two relay golds, bringing his tally to an astounding five Olympic gold medals.
Then came Saturday, the ultimate challenge: the mass start, a monumental 31-mile race. The question on everyone’s mind was whether any athlete, even one as gifted as Klaebo, could possibly dominate sprint, middle-distance, and marathon events at the Olympics. It was a feat rarely, if ever, seen across disciplines like track, cycling, or swimming.
Klaebo, however, proved he absolutely could. Early in the race, he, along with two other formidable Norwegian teammates, surged ahead, leaving the rest of the field struggling to keep up. A Norwegian sweep was inevitable, but the suspense remained: which one would claim the gold?
Mile after mile relentlessly passed, and the leading trio began to narrow. With only a few miles remaining, Emil Iversen commendably slipped back, leaving just two Norwegians vying for the top spot: Klaebo and Martin Nyenget.
In a breathtaking display of raw power and tactical genius, Klaebo launched a decisive attack on the final brutal climb, creating an unassailable lead. He crossed the finish line victorious, securing his sixth gold medal of the Games and the eleventh of his illustrious career. This monumental achievement meant he had won every single cross-country event there was to win at these Olympics, setting a new Winter Games record and eclipsing Eric Heiden’s legendary five speedskating golds from the 1980 Games.
Reflecting on his past, a hill in Pyeongchang was named ‘Klaebo bakken’ after his ‘mere’ three golds in 2018. Given his performance here, it might be time to consider renaming a major city like Milan in his honor.